Forum: Parents must partner schools to prevent bullying

I read with interest the article urging parents to let schools handle cases of bullying (Parents should let schools handle fighting or bullying cases, and avoid jumping in: Chan Chun Sing, Feb 4).

I have experienced bullying from several perspectives – as a former Ministry of Education teacher, a parent when my child was bullied, and a psychologist supporting others in navigating its aftermath and preventing its recurrence.

I have learnt at first hand that bullying is a complex issue requiring a systemic approach. Parents must be actively involved, working in partnership with schools to implement anti-bullying strategies. Simply counselling or punishing a student often falls short and, in some cases, may even escalate the situation.

A broader perspective is crucial – considering factors like school climate, social-emotional learning curriculum, teacher training, consistent discipline policies and peer support systems to empower students as bystanders.

While most parents expect schools to take the lead in addressing bullying, many (myself included) are forced to step in when it persists, leading to serious consequences such as school refusal, anxiety and depression.

A collaborative effort between educators, parents and students is essential to creating safer learning environments for all our children. 

Vivien Yang